CalPolyTechnique
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I finally got to the end of "Vikings" on Amazon Prime. I really like the show and wish there were more episodes but I also have to admit it was like two different shows. The first 4 seasons were great. Seasons 5 and 6 lacked the same power but were still good. There was so much to like about the first 4 seasons. Some of the scenes with Ragnar and King Ecbert were absolutely fantastic and some of the best I have scene in any series. Seasons 5 and 6 lacked anything like that. I think they tried to recreate similar scenes with Floki and Ubbe, Bjorn and Ivar, and others but those scenes did not come close.
That's not to say this series was perfect. There were many flaws I think. The series was a blend of historic facts and fantastic fiction. All the main characters actually existed in the past, but aside of that most of it was fiction. The truth is Viking history is not always clear so taking license with the story seems to be less of an issue. At the same time we do know certain facts and the show dismissed some of those for the same of entertainment. So if you are looking for a documentary, this is not it. Often the series uses some historical events but attributes them to characters in the show instead of the actual Viking figures who were involved.
I am not bothered by the historical creativity, with the exception of the ending. I give the series a solid 8 of 10 and seasons 1-4 a 9 of 10. If this show did not air originally on the history channel and instead had the budget of HBO, it could have been even better I think.
It seems like some series are difficult to end. One technique writers seem to rely on to end shows is to kill off everyone either literally or symbolically. Vikings takes that approach. Lagertha, Bjorn, King Harold, and even Ivar all die in the last 2 seasons. In reality we know that some of these characters died in old age. Some we do not know what happened to them. I think killing everyone off at the end is taking the easy way out of the story.
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Enjoyed the series as well. I think they are still working on season two but it seems like is has been forever.I just finished Reacher on Prime, was surprisingly good
Yes, much better than the movies.I just finished Reacher on Prime, was surprisingly good
Runny's spoiler is on point and they did such a job of establishing Ragnar, carrying on would be like doing that with Braveheart or Gladiator.As soon as Ragnar died, the show went downhill very quickly. It wasn't terrible, but it was a shadow of its former self. The relationship between Ragnar and Lagertha was beautiful, as was Lagertha's skills in battle, in those earlier days. She was the most believable bad azz woman warrior I think I've ever seen. Also, Ragnar was an extremely likable and interesting character; traits they couldn't recreate after his death.
I feel like this show needs its own thread. After watching it, I still don’t know who or what to believeThe Curious Case Of Natalie Grace on Max and I think Hulu. Craziest crap I've ever seen. Disturbing, confusing, and too real to be fake.
I watched Shrinking after that and found that pretty funny and poignant at the same time.Finished Ted Lasso the other night. Some plot points that wrapped up were a bit predictable but overall was a good, solid show and worth the watch.
We're not going to talk about the last episode of "Succession"?
It's over and I am going to miss it. But I have to say the season finale, though understandable in some ways, left me a little disappointed.
I always thought Shiv was the smart one but her rationale at the end made no sense. Her explanation for voting for the acquisition was that Kendall was not capable of running the company as CEO. But her buffoon other half is? Seriously, other than Greg, Tom is the last person who should run the company. Even Roman would be slightly better. At the same time she was angry about Tom getting picked while she was being lead on. II cannot imagine Shiv not feeling super vindictive to the point of voting for a mouse to run the company over Tom. But I get why they had to do it that way.